Thursday, November 01, 2012

Of Crisp Red Maple Leaves, Hot Tea, and Golden Afternoons.

The crisp cool autumn wind blew in my face as I took my run one morning. The
sun rays gleamed through the bare branches of those tall maple trees. Red,
yellow and orange leaves covered the sidewalks; crunching with every step I
took. I ran, faster and faster, hoping to warm the tips of my fingers. I took a
deep breath; ah, fresh air. Today the wind was with me, blowing on my back. Its
brisk force pushed me forward as if to encourage me on. I looked up at the
neighbors raking and smiled at them as I passed quickly by. I watched the
little neighbor girl twirl in the front yard as a huge gust of wind blew the
golden leaves off the trees and sent them sailing into the air. They floated
down around her in circles as she danced; her brown curls bouncing in her face.
I loved watching those tiny little "leaf tornados" form as cars drove
down the street. Squirrels scurried across the sidewalk as they heard me approaching.
I continued running; each step faster than the one before. Soaring, flying,
moving faster than I ever had before; alas I had to stop. I caught my breath as I
walked. Why can we not run forever? I walked past the white picket fences and
the drooping sunflowers. I walked over the leaf-stained sidewalks. Beautiful.
Then I ran again; praying and thanking my Heavenly Father for granting me this
beautiful weather. {Even.if.i.did.need.gloves}. I spend my "running
moments" with my Savior. I pour out my troubles and cares, my requests and
my desires, my thoughts and my ramblings. I praise Him. I pray for Him to be my
wisdom and be my strength each day. Verses from my quiet time circle in my
head, encouraging me. "Then
Job answered the Lord and said, “I know that You can do all things, And that no
purpose of Yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without
knowledge?’ Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things
too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” {Job 42:1-3} I ponder the chapters and pages I read.
"For my thoughts are not your
thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways, "declares the Lord. For as the
heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My
thoughts than your thoughts." {Isaiah 55:8-9} *peace* I give thanks
to Him for Octobers, Novembers and autumn weather. Without them, I do believe
life would be very dull indeed.

{Autumn.} I love those cold nights when we sit by the fire drinking tea and
eating pumpkin bread. I love the cozy feeling I get when the smell of Mom's
warm homemade bread streams throughout the whole house on
rainy weekday afternoons. I pull the covers higher and snuggle closer to my
pillows as the cold morning wakes me up; the pink and red sky creating the backdrop of my morning. My warm feet emerge from the blankets
and land on the icy cold floor ready to start the day. I love the leaf piles in
the middle of our backyard and the rake leaning against our clean back porch;
as if something from an old postcard. I like driving through tall red leafed
trees leaning over the roads. All year long the leaves wait
{all.boring.green.}, now they have come alive; so beautiful and vibrant dancing
in the wind, as if to leap with joy. A bowl of potato soup and crunchy bread,
freshly baked gingersnap cookies, fall boots and scarves, leaves in the
sidewalk cracks, pumpkins on our front porch, jars of organic pumpkin pie
filling; all the simple delights of autumn that make my insides explode with
happiness.

I can remember going to the pumpkin patch when I was little and the taste of
those scrumptious apple cider donuts. I remember the joys of jumping in leaf
piles and the smell of my sweater afterwards. I remember the fun Dad and I used
to have as he picked me up and tossed me into the mile high pile. :)

My fall days are busy. {explanation.as.to.why.I.haven’t.updated.} They are
filled with life and laughter. Each day is a blessing from God. Each day I wake
up excited for what He has. The brisk afternoons I spend baking or cleaning;
listening to my mother as she teaches my siblings in the other room. Her voice
warms my soul; remembering the days of my schoolwork. A basket of laundry in
the family room as the rain plops against the skylights. A good book and a cup
of tea in our big cozy arm chair. I love the hours I spend on the piano as the
wind and leaves rush by outside. The late afternoon comes quickly and
everything that was once brown or dull turns golden just before the sun sinks
down. The golden rays stream through my window eliminating my lace curtain. The
bare branches suddenly become alive as the sun shines on them from behind. I think of my dear friend {her.favorite.time.of.day.}
and smile. Dinner preparations to begin; soup or chicken, pasta or chili, as
long as it’s warm. ;) Half way through my cooking, Dad’s car rumbles in the
garage, and the back door opens. His tired, worn-out, cold face appears and suddenly
he smiles. Our cozy house seems to melt any stress or grief from his day away.
I watch him transform as he walks into the schoolroom to greet Mom. I hear
their voices, and Dad sighs, “I love our house.” :) I smiled to myself and
finished chopping. *happiness*

"Yet I will
exult in the Lord,I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.The Lord God is my strength,And
He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,And makes
me walk on my high places." {Habakkuk 3:18-19}

I love your blog name and I love this post. This is the kind of feeling I love. It's that kind of feeling of falling into that perfect story. You know what I mean? The pictures on the sides are just so awesome, too. I just felt right at home right away. :)~Storytellerhttp://storytellerofwestoncounty.blogspot.com/P.S. You have inspired me.